The Better Business Bureau soon will be providing more detailed information to consumers.

Pam King, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau in northern Colorado and east-central Wyoming, said businesses will receive letter grades from A to F, rather than simply being rated as satisfactory or unsatisfactory. Information upon which the grades are based also will be provided.

The letter grading system is expected to be in place during the first quarter of 2008.

King said the basic message is that consumers should be more proactive and check out a business with the Better Business Bureau before making a purchase, rather than simply filing a complaint after a problem arises.

Designations for affiliated businesses also have been changed, from "BBB member" to "BBB accredited business."

In order to be accredited, a business must agree to uphold the Better Business Bureau's standards for integrity and reliability when dealing with consumers.

King said accredited businesses must pledge to follow through on commitments, deliver on their promises, and "right any wrongs if an honest mistake has been made."

The organization has starting using a single log-in address, www.bbb.org, which directs first-time users to a landing page where they can enter location information.

On subsequent visits, users will be directed to the appropriate regional Better Business Bureau Web site.

Business Editor Tom Mast can be reached at tom.mast@casperstartribune.net, or call 307-266-0574.